Images Magazine June 2018

H ow did you learn to make a screen, pull (push?) a squeegee, hoop a polo, digitise a design, or weed vinyl? In the absence of recognised industry training courses and qualifications, the chances are it was on the job, through industry trade press how-to articles and, in more recent times, via videos - most likely on YouTube. If your business’s staff is trained on the job , what sort of training programme do you have in place? Is it structured and documented? How do you measure results and define an improvement in skill levels within your shop? Do you have a training programme at all? Marshall Atkinson turns his attention to on the job training in his column this month. He covers everything from making a skills inventory through to building a training programme and measuring results. If you think it is all a bit too much time and effort then you wouldn’t be the only one, but you would also be running the risk of holding your business back. As Marshall puts it: “Employee training is one of the most overlooked aspects of running a modern decorated apparel business. It is also the easiest predictor for success. Shops that have a great employee training programme have the greatest customer satisfaction in the industry, and happy customers always equal a healthier bottom line.” If that sounds like the kind of business you want to be owning/managing/working for, then turn to page 42 to take advantage of Marshall’s training programme blueprint. In recent years, YouTube videos have helped to fill some of the gaps in the training provision for garment decorators. However, the wide availability and (generally) free access to such content also has its downsides: for starters, how do you know that the presenter is qualified or that their knowledge and advice is correct and appropriate for the work you are doing and the equipment you are using? And how do you piece together the patchwork of videos and advice to create a structured training programme for yourself or your staff? Fortunately, for embroiderers wanting to learn how to get the most from Wilcom EmbroideryStudio e4, authorised Wilcom reseller and trainer Dean Roscoe has developed a compelling solution. Launched earlier this year, Wilcom Tutorials is a comprehensive online video course providing an expertly curated and presented training programme that allows you (and everyone in your business) to learn skills in a logical progression and at your own pace. It also could easily be incorporated into a wider in-company staff training programme. You can read more about Wilcom Tutorials on page 48, where you will also find a link to watch a sample online lesson demonstrating how to digitise a logo to work with 3D foam, so you can assess the quality and usefulness for yourself. Even better, until the end of June 2018, Dean is offering Images readers a 10% discount on the six-monthly subscription charge; from what we’ve seen, this could be a worthwhile investment for any embroidery business that values a well- trained workforce. Jonathan Vince Investing in your future Published by: 360 Communications Ltd images magazine, 360 Communications Ltd, 58a Livingstone Road, Lioncare House, Hove, BN3 3WL, UK 01273 748482 | www.images-magazine.com Advertising: advertising@images-magazine.com Editorial: editorial@images-magazine.com Subscriptions: subscriptions@images-magazine.com | images is available free of charge to UK subscribers | Subscribe / unsubscribe / update contact details online: www.images-magazine.com Publisher/advertising: Jonathan Vince | jonathan@images-magazine.com Features editor: Rachael Glazier | rachael@images-magazine.com Design/Production: ATG Media | production@atgraphicsuk.com Printing: Stephens & George Ltd | Goat Mill Road,Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 3TD ( issn 0966 7512) Follow images on social media: ImagesMagUK Opinions expressed by contributors in this magazine are not necessarily shared by the Publisher. Editorial contributions are invited, on the understanding that the Publisher has the right to alter or abridge all such material as he sees fit. While the greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy, the Publisher accepts no liability for either errors or omissions. JUNE 2018 | VOL.27 NO.6 ST EDITORIAL www.images-magazine.com JUNE 2018 images 05 JUNE 14, 2018 Print & Stitch - Strathclyde DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Strathclyde, Phoenix Cres, Bellshill ML4 3JQ printandstitch.org JUNE 27-28, 2018 Newtech - Southampton DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Southampton Bracken Pl, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 3RB coactiveevents.com JULY 12, 2018 Print & Stitch - Leeds Village Hotel Leeds South, Capitol Blvd, Tingley, Morley, Leeds LS27 0TS printandstitch.org JULY 18-19, 2018 Newtech - Newcastle Marriott MetroCentre, Marconi Way, MetroCentre, Gateshead, Newcastle NE11 9XF coactiveevents.com AUGUST 9-11, 2018 A - Z of Screen Printing Dalesway Print Technology, Eden House, Calf Hall Road, Barnoldswick BB18 5PX dalesway.co.uk SEPTEMBER 12, 2018 Promotion & Branding Show - Leeds Thorpe Park Hotel, 1150 Century Way, Leeds LS15 8ZB promobranding.events SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 Print & Stitch - Manchester Village Hotel Manchester Ashton, Pamir Drive, Ashton-under-Lyne OL7 0LY printandstitch.org SEPTEMBER 18-20, 2018 The Print Show NEC, Hall 9, North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT theprintshow.co.uk SEPTEMBER 26-27, 2018 Newtech - Brentwood De Rougemont Manor, Great Warley St, Great Warley, Brentwood CM13 3JP coactiveevents.com OCTOBER 16, 2018 Promotion & Branding Show - Belfast The Hilton Belfast Templepatrick, Paradise Walk Castle Upton Estate, Templepatrick BT39 0DD promobranding.events OCTOBER 18-20, 2018 SGIA Expo 2018 Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA sgia.org DIARY